Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly’s response to suffering a concussion garnered most of the attention, but he wasn’t the only player to sustain a head injury in last Thursday night’s game.
Saints running back Mark Ingram also landed in the concussion protocol after a hit from Panthers safety Kurt Coleman early in the third quarter of the Panthers’ 23-20 victory. It looks like Ingram has a good chance of being in the lineup for Week 12, however.
Saints coach Sean Payton said that Ingram will practice with the team on Wednesday, which indicates that he’s made good progress getting through the concussion protocol and should be on track for clearance to play against the Rams this Sunday.
It’s a big game for the Saints, who are 4-6 and in need of a winning streak if they are going to have any hopes of advancing to the postseason this year. Ingram is their leading rusher with 575 yards, although Tim Hightower has carved out a regular role in the backfield as well and would be ready to step up to an even bigger one should Ingram suffer a setback in his recovery this week.